Best books listing fruit species and varieties (forum)

FlowerPot starts with ...
Hey guys, I'm looking at one day having as much land as it takes to grow as many fruit species and varieties as possible in Australia. What is the best area with good soil and weather? I was thinking queensland. Just not sure how far north or south. also not sure on how much land... 200 acres?

My main question is what are some good books that list all the species of fruit/varieties. It would save alot of time instead of compiling a list and better not to do something already done by someone more experienced.

Time: 27th September 2014 12:45am

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About the Author FlowerPot
Perth
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JohnMc1 says...
Wow, very big ambitions there FlowerPot, I've had the condition all my life and apparently there is no cure. You have a very clean slate to work with especially if you can choose your climate. You're off to a good starting point in researching the type of plants that you have an interest in. Australia has a huge spectrum of climate for a very very diverse range of plants. There's no point in buying in Tasmania if you want to grow tropicals, unless you want to build a glasshouse, same if you want to grow plants that require some cold chill to induce flowering, you wouldn't buy in Darwin or Cairns. Where you are is a good all round location for being able to grow a mix of sub-tropical and temperate combined. From what I've read on this forum the soil in Perth could do with some improvement?. Me? My climate is a good all rounder, similar to Perth where I can grow low chill but, my interest is leaning towards the ultratropics, and for the short term fix, I'm building a largish polytunnel to cater for that obsession.
I hope you got something out of the ramblings and good luck.

The best free online resource is Julia F Mortons Fruits of Warm Climates:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/index.html

If you want a book to read grab:
Discovering Fruit and Nuts by Susanne Lyle

Last but not least:

The complete book of fruit growing in Australia by louis Glowinski, Daley's sell it here in their shop.

Time: 27th September 2014 5:47am

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About the Author JohnMc1
Warnervale NSW
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sternus1 says...
My advice is to buy somewhere subtropical. But more importantly, buy somewhere that has really, really good soil. This will save you a lot of effort, money and heartache down the track.

Time: 27th September 2014 7:05am

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About the Author sternus1
Australia
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jakfruit etiquette says...
Nth Qld from Cairns sea level to the Atherton tablelands has a lot of microclimate choices in a "small" region.
Also subject to cyclones. Any large orchard has to consider irrigation of some type, ie adequate natural rainfall, own creek on property, swales to harvest water. I dont think the people with the most diverse fruit collections always have the biggest size properties. Re creating a Fruit Tree Jungle ( cue song )packs more diversity into smaller areas.

Time: 27th September 2014 7:44am

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About the Author jakfruit etiquette
vic
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sternus1 says...
I have river access, but my problem is the horrible anaerobic soil here. John MC made the right decision in purachsing land for fruit trees, he's on loam. My soil is Good for making mud pies, but not much else. I have no alternative but to scoop out very large holes and backfill with good soil, which adds up to quite a lot of money after a while. I also have to cart off the clay and get rid of it, which isn't fun to do without an excavator. I just have a pick, shovel and wheelbarrow. And it's hard to get good soil in bulk. The 'mineral soils' sold by landscaping stores are generally rubbish--mostly just sand and poor quality compost. They need to be amended with manures and soil wetters. It actually works out cheaper for me in the end just to buy cheap potting mix because these have wetting agents in them already, and add more sand, I also add horse manure (which comes free from the horse).

Time: 27th September 2014 8:42am

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Original Post was last edited: 27th September 2014 8:40am

About the Author sternus1
Australia
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Juie 1 says...
Flowerpot, Perth hills and foothills has some terrific soils. Because of the hills,soils and microclimate varies enormously from block to block, often richer in the valleys.

And you don't necessarily need 200 acres, that is a lot of land to look after. We have orchards a tenth that size in Roleystone/Karagullen, with hundreds of trees.

Have a look at what one person grows on 1/2 acre in Maida Vale - 160 trees, plus shrubs, vines, pots and ponds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKhi1B2GCRg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILY5lzak8cg

I have an old book: 'Fruit for the Home and Garden', by Leslie Johns and Violet Stevenson, which is pretty comprehensive.

Time: 27th September 2014 11:56am

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Original Post was last edited: 27th September 2014 11:57am

About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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FlowerPot says...
Thanks for the help and input guys :). Best part is I'm only 18 so this long term goal is easily doable. Going to be an interesting next 10 years.

Time: 27th September 2014 12:00pm

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About the Author FlowerPot
Perth
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